Bottle carrier

ABSTRACT

Bottle carriers for transporting liquids in glass bottles or other breakable containers may be either flexible or rigid and provide leak-proof containment for any spillage of the contents of the breakable container. Flexible bottle carriers have a leak proof bag and a wrap that provides additional cushioning and protection to the contents as well as provides an aesthetically appealing covering. Rigid and semi-rigid bottle carriers have two segments that are capable of interlocking to form a reservoir for containing a glass bottle or other breakable container and which are leak-proof. Rigid and semi-rigid bottle carriers may additionally be nestable or collapsible for ease in transporting the empty carrier.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 60/954,421, filed Aug. 7, 2007, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

FIELD

The present invention generally relates to the field of containers. Morespecifically the invention is directed to various containers for thetransport of liquids.

BACKGROUND

In the summer of 2006, in response to threats of bombs from on domesticand international flights, the Transportation Security Administration(TSA) issued restrictions to quantities of liquids taken on boardaircraft in carry-on, hand luggage. In part, these restrictions limitliquids to 3 oz. per container. Such restrictions are a constraint ontravelers who would have ordinarily carried bottles of wine, distilledspirits, specialty cooking oils, marinating liquids or sauces on boardthe an airliner as carry-on baggage to avoid breakage of the containerin checked luggage. However, these bottles must currently be placed inchecked luggage creating the risk of breakage and leakage and riskingcostly damage to luggage contents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a drawing of a flexible bottle carrier according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 2 is a drawing of a flexible bottle carrier according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 3 is a drawing of a flexible bottle carrier for carrying twobottles according to one embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a drawing of a flexible bottle carrier for carrying multiplebottles according to one embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a drawing of a semi-rigid bottle carrier according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 6 is a drawing of a rigid bottle carrier according to oneembodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purposes of this disclosure and unless otherwise specified, “a”or “an” means “one or more.”

Bottle carriers embodied herein, are lightweight containers that may beconfigured in various ways to provide a protected, liquid-tight solutionfor transporting glass bottles, or other breakable containers, inchecked luggage. The bottle carriers general have characteristics ofexpanding to contain a bottle of a liquid, but are also capable of beingcapable of being packed flat, collapsing, nesting, or changing shape.Such characteristics allow for storage of the bottle carrier withinluggage or a drawer when not in use, but will expand to accommodate abottle of liquid. Such bottle carriers are also capable of being sealedto prevent spillage or leakage of the contents. In some embodiments aprotecting covering is provide to aid in preventing breakage inlow-level impact or contact with other objects. Such a protectivecovering provides cushioning, puncture resistance, and/or sealingcapabilities, and are durable and reusable. An exterior surface of thebottle carrier should be amenable to various stylings, decorating, orlabeling options. The bottle carriers also accommodate a variety ofbottle diameters and heights.

The bottle carrier may be configured in a flexible or rigidconfiguration. One such flexible configuration is a sewn bottle carrierthat may be made from a variety of travel-grade fabrics or naturalmaterials with an integrated or insertable liquid-tight bag and seal. Onsuch rigid or semi-rigid housing is collapsible or nestable to minimizeproduct volume when stored.

With reference to the figures, each of the above configurations isdescribed. First, and with reference to FIGS. 1-4, flexible bottlecarriers may be made from two or more primary components that wraparound the contents and secure the opening with buckles, clips, hook andloop fasteners (i.e. Velcro), or other methods known to those of skillin the art. In one embodiment, the bottle carrier comprises a leak proofbag or other containment device to contain the bottle and retain liquidsin the event that a bottle contained within the bottle carrier leaks orbreaks. The bottle can be inserted into the bag or other containmentdevice from either a long side of the bag or an end of the bag dependingupon design preference and sealing method utilized. Such bottle carriersmay have the ability to contain one or more bottles.

In one embodiment, a separate leak proof bag is contained within a wrap,as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

In one embodiment, a separate leak proof bag is inserted into a sewnpocket or pouch as shown in FIG. 3. Alternatively, in anotherembodiment, a permanent, leak-proof liner is integrally contained withina sewn pocket or pouch as also shown in FIG. 3.

As indicated above, a sealing device is used to close the leak proofbag. For example, the sealing device is amenable to repeated closuresand openings of the bag, providing a leak proof seal with each closing.Such sealing devices are known to those of skill in the art, including,but not limited to a press seal (i.e. Ziploc®), a zipper style pressseal, a disassociated clip that is placed around the top and is thenclamped down upon the end of the bag to be sealed, or a molded componentthat is mechanically attached to the bag. Other such methods will berecognized by those of skill in the art.

For both utility and aesthetic aspect, a fabric, leather, rubberizedmaterial, or other wrap is provided as shown in FIGS. 1-4. In someembodiments, the wrap has padding that, upon closing of the bottlecarrier, wraps around the bottle thereby protecting it frombottle-to-bottle and outside impacts. The padding comprises a foam,rubber, silicone, thermoplastic elastomer, or any other material thatprovides impact absorption and cushioning. A carrying feature such as ahandle, attachment point for a shoulder strap or lanyard may also beincluded, as shown in FIG. 4. In some embodiments, a place for labelingmay be provided. Such labeling place may be appropriate for privatelabels for vineyards, distillers, retailers, distributors or othercustom identification.

In another aspect, a semi-rigid or rigid bottle carrier is provided. Thesemi-rigid carrier comprises two or more, user-assembled componentsjoined together with a threaded or quarter turn, or bayonet-styleclosure to form a liquid-tight seal. In some embodiments, the semi-rigidor rigid bottle carrier is collapsible for storage and is expandable tovariable heights to accommodate multiple bottle styles. Such embodimentsare depicted in FIG. 5, without limitation to such drawings.

In one embodiment, the semi-rigid bottle carrier of FIG. 5, comprises acontainer comprising a locking collar, a bellows, a base, and a cap. Theparts may be made from any of number of materials including athermoplastic polyolefin resin, such as, but not limited to polyethyleneor polypropylene; a thermoplastic elastomer such as, but not limited toSantoprene®, Kraton®; or a thermoset elastomer such as a silicone; orother materials known to those of skill in the art. Such semi-rigidbottle carrier may be capable of containing one or more bottles. Inanother embodiment, the bottle carrier further comprises a leak proofexpandable bellows component attached to the base and locking collar.The bellows may be either transparent, semi-transparent or opaque. Thebellows may also be attached to a leak proof bag, thus forming a singlepart.

The semi-rigid bottle carrier cap may have interior threads to allowthreading or locking to the bellows-locking collar thereby sealing thecontents into the closed, semi-rigid bottle carrier. Leak proof sealingis achieved by molding seal geometry into the part or by means of anintegrally attached or separate elastomeric gasket. The semi-rigidbottle carrier may also have a carrying feature such as a handle,attachment point for a shoulder strap, or lanyard. The semi-rigid bottlecarrier may also have the ability to private label for vineyards,distillers, retailers, distributors or other custom identification.

In another aspect, a rigid bottle carrier is provided. Such rigid bottlecarriers utilize two or more rigid parts that are secured together toseal a bottle within the rigid bottle carrier. In some embodiments, therigid bottle carrier has a compliant insert that is compressible toaccept various bottle lengths. In one embodiment, the rigid solutioncomprises a base and a cap as shown in FIG. 6. The base and cap may beprepared from rigid, leak proof, transparent, semi-transparent or opaquerigid materials. Such materials include thermoplastic polyolefin resinssuch as, but not limited to polyethylene or polypropylene; metals suchas stainless steel or anodized aluminum; or a combination of metal andplastic. The rigid bottle carriers may be capable of containing one ormore bottles depending upon form. In other embodiments, the rigid bottlecarrier has a carrying feature such as a handle, attachment point for ashoulder strap or lanyard. In yet other embodiments, the rigid bottlecarrier is capable of receiving a private label for vineyards,distillers, retailers, distributors or other custom identification.

In some embodiments, the cap has interior threads to allow threading orlocking to the bellows-locking ring thereby sealing the contents. Leakproof sealing is achieved by molding seal geometry into the part or bymeans of an integrally attached or separate elastomeric gasket.

One skilled in the art will readily realize that all ranges and ratiosdiscussed can and do necessarily also describe all subranges andsubratios therein for all purposes and that all such subranges andsubratios also form part and parcel of this invention. Any listed rangeor ratio can be easily recognized as sufficiently describing andenabling the same range or ratio being broken down into at least equalhalves, thirds, quarters, fifths, tenths, etc. As a non-limitingexample, each range or ratio discussed herein can be readily broken downinto a lower third, middle third and upper third, etc.

All publications, patent applications, issued patents, and otherdocuments referred to in this specification are herein incorporated byreference as if each individual publication, patent application, issuedpatent, or other document was specifically and individually indicated tobe incorporated by reference in its entirety. Definitions that arecontained in text incorporated by reference are excluded to the extentthat they contradict definitions in this disclosure.

While several, non-limiting examples have been illustrated anddescribed, it should be understood that changes and modifications can bemade therein in accordance with ordinary skill in the art withoutdeparting from the invention in its broader aspects as defined in thefollowing claims.

1. A flexible bottle carrier comprising: a wrap; and a leak proof bag;wherein a bottle of liquid may be contained within the leak proof bagand the wrap is capable of surrounding the bottle and bag.
 2. Theflexible bottle carrier of claim 1, wherein the wrap comprises buckles,clips, hook and loop fasteners (i.e. Velcro), or a combination thereofcapable of securing the wrap around the bottle and bag.
 3. The flexiblebottle carrier of claim 1, wherein the leak proof bag comprises a pressseal, a zipper style press seal, a disassociated clip or a moldedcomponent that is mechanically attached to the bag.
 4. The flexiblebottle carrier of claim 3, wherein the leak proof bag is capable ofrepeated closures and openings of the bag, providing a leak proof sealwith each closing.
 5. The flexible bottle carrier of claim 1, wherein anexterior of the flexible bottle carrier is made from fabric, leather,rubberized material, or a combination thereof.
 6. The flexible bottlecarrier of claim 1, further comprising padding capable of wrappingaround the bottle.
 7. The flexible bottle carrier of claim 1, furthercomprising a carrying feature selected from the group consisting of ahandle, a shoulder strap, or lanyard.
 8. A rigid bottle carriercomprising: a base comprising tubular shaped side wall having a firstend and a second end, wherein the first end comprises threads on anexternal surface of the side wall and the second end is a closed end;and a cap comprising a tubular shaped side wall having a first end and asecond end, wherein the first end is a closed end and the second endcomprises threads on an internal surface of the side wall; wherein thethreads of the base and the cap are gasketed threads and the rigidbottle carrier is capable of containing a bottle or other container. 9.The rigid bottle carrier of claim 8, further comprising a compressibleand compliant elastomeric insert to accept various bottle lengths. 10.The rigid bottle carrier of claim 8, further comprises a carryingfeature selected from the group consisting of a handle, a shoulderstrap, and lanyard.
 11. A semi-rigid bottle comprising: a basecomprising a tubular shaped side wall comprising: a first end comprisinga locking collar comprising threading or a first part of a bayonetconnection; a second end; and a bellows located between the first endand the second end to allow the base to be expanded or contracted in alongitudinal direction; wherein the first end is an open end and thesecond end is a closed end; and a cap comprising a tubular shaped sidewall having a first end, and a second end, the second end comprisingthreading or a second part of a bayonet connection, wherein the firstend is a closed end and the second end is an open end; wherein, thefirst end of the base and the second end of the cap are engagable viathe threading or the bayonet connections to form a liquid-tight seal;and the semi-rigid bottle carrier is capable of containing a bottle orother container.